This is another annoying part of DH -- The worst of both worlds.

The old theory suggests that we have only two possiblities:
Dumbledore is dead and Harry gets no help; or
Dumbledore is alive and Harry gets lots of help.

The fact is, we have two other possibilities.

JKR chose the worst: Dumbledore dead and Harry gets lots of help.
(Dumbledore had long chats with Hermione, sent Snape on errands and delivering messages, and had a major session with Harry in King's Cross. If you insist on that old theory, it defeats the whole purpose of Dumbledore's death.)

Becca (and I) were hoping for the best: Dumbledore alive but hidden and Harry gets minimal help.

I was also hoping for a plot that made sense. The main plot of the Deathly Hallows made no sense. It was contrived, self-contradictory, lame; it just ruined the whole series.